WHAT ARE SOME COMMON REASONS FOR TOOTH EXTRACTIONS?
A dentist serving Naples may suggest tooth extraction for many reasons. Tooth extraction is generally a last resort, as dentists prefer to perform a root canal on a severely decayed tooth. However, modern tooth extraction is completely safe and much more comfortable than in the past. In addition to cases of severe tooth decay, dentists suggest tooth extraction when a patient has significant mouth overcrowding or wisdom tooth complications. Keep reading to learn more about these common reasons for tooth extraction.
Severe Tooth Decay
A dentist sometimes recommends tooth extraction for individuals suffering from severe tooth decay. When the tooth’s inner tissue and nerve become infected, dentists usually perform a root canal. A root canal is often sufficient to remove the diseased tissue and prevent the infection from spreading further. However, if you wait too long after first experiencing root canal pain to consult with your dentist, you may require tooth extraction instead of endodontics. In these serious cases, tooth extraction is necessary because the tooth structure has been fundamentally compromised.
Significant Mouth Overcrowding
A dentist may also extract a tooth when it is causing overcrowding. Overcrowding occurs when an individual’s mouth and jaw are too small to hold his or her teeth. Unfortunately, overcrowded teeth can cause serious oral health problems. Overcrowded teeth exert pressure on the surrounding healthy teeth and gums, which can lead to chipped or cracked teeth. It can also be difficult to clean overlapping or crowded teeth, which causes plaque build-up, tooth decay, and gum disease. A dentists performs tooth extraction to ward off these more serious issues.
Wisdom Tooth Complications
Tooth extraction is often required for wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth are a third row of molars that humans no longer rely upon for chewing or speaking. While these extra teeth can be harmless, they cause problems if they grow in sideways or fail to erupt at all. In those cases, wisdom teeth can lead to gum infections. Wisdom tooth complications also threaten the health of surrounding teeth. Dentists often extract wisdom teeth to preserve a patient’s oral and overall health.
